Advent Drabbles: December 24th (part 3 21:22)
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#1: Advent Drabbles: December 24th (part 3 21:22) Author: Advent Drabblers PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:14 am
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It was Christmas Eve, and the snow coming down as if it would never stop. I@t was only just after lunch, but all the lights were burning and the curtains drawn to shut out the dreadful weather outside. Already the snow was level with the downstairs window ledges, and if it went on snowing for much longer, the windows themselves would become covered. Inside however, it was warm and bright. The huge porcelain stoves were heating the rooms to near summer temperature, most of the preparations were complete and the adults were enjoying a quiet sit down after Mittagessen. From upstairs came a thunder of tiny footsteps and a sudden yell. Madge sighed, and put down the cup of coffee she had been drinking.
“Don’t worry Madge. I’ll go,” said Jo. “You put your feet up.”
She ran lightly upstairs to the nursery and opened the door. As she had expected Sybil and Rix were rolling around on the floor have a fight, with the others standing watching them.
“Stop that at once!” she demanded. “You know perfectly well that you’re not to fight.”
Once separated she sent them to wash the dirt off, and then settled them down to a session of story-telling, always a favourite for the small fry.
“What do you want? Fairy story? Legend? Something new?”
“Legend please,” said Peggy, getting in before anyone else.
“Right you are. I’ll tell you about the Christmas Spider. Frieda told this to me only the other day. Settle down, and I’ll begin.
Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was an old woman who lived in a tiny village in the Tyrol. She was very poor, and often had no idea where her next meal was coming from, but she was happy. Her children were all grown up and living in the city, and though they sent money home, they had families of their own to look after. Christmas was especially hard, and one Christmas time the old woman had no money at all to make her home beautiful. However, she was determined that everything should be as clean and tidy as she could make it. She had already found a little tree which she had brought into the house, but it stood in the corner looking very bare, for there was nothing to make it beautiful at all. She took her broom and swept the little house from top to bottom till it sparkled and shone in the light coming in through the windows. She didn’t notice a little spider that had scuttled out of her way just in time, and hidden underneath one of the chairs, right up where the leg meets the seat. Then she went up to bed, feeling that everything was as right as it could be for Christmas.
When everything was still and quiet, the spider came out from her hiding place. the moon was shining in through the window straight onto the bare little tree in the corner, and the spider decided that that would be a wonderful place to spin her web. So she ran over to the tree and began to work. Up and down, and round and round she went, until the whole tree was covered with her work. Then she settled down and went to sleep.
The sun was shining brightly when the old woman came downstairs, for she had slept later than usual. It was shining straight onto the little tree, and to the old woman’s amazement it looked as if was covered in a fine silk net that sparkled and shone in the sun.
So wasn’t it a good thing that the old woman missed the spider when she was cleaning up?”


Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:24 pm; edited 2 times in total

#2:  Author: Advent Drabblers PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:04 pm
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Joey always associated Christmas with telling stories. She thought back to the first Christmas she and Madge had spent in Tyrol, many, many years ago now and how they had listened to Frieda's Grossmutter tell stories of her childhood; then to the plays Madge had written; to the stories she told Robin, David, Sybil, Peggy and Rix in the nursery at Die Rosen. She remembered revelling in the old legends, many of which she heard from Frieda, such as The Christmas Spider, others were more well known to tradition like the story of the Christmas Rose, but all of which she had loved. Once she had been published, become an authoress she was more in demand for telling stories, both from the schoolgirls and nursery children for whom familiarity with her entrancing story weaving did not breed contempt to new audiences who asked for a Josephine M Bettany story for an annual or Christmas Special.However the audience she treasured most, was another nusery audience. One made up of her own children, firstly Len, Con and Margot, her triplets and then as the family grew, 3 boys, twins, a baby girl and finally another set of twins making the family complete. These were the children who saw the love in her eyes as she gathered with them round the fire on Christmas Eve.

On this particular day it had been cold outside, snowing, and they had been unable to get outside. The snow had stopped by late afternoon and the elders held out hopes of skiing to Midnight Mass, but for the time being they were confined to the house. This had not spoiled their fun much. The morning had been spent by the boys in their workshop, finishing off some Christmas Surprises they had for the rest of the family, while the girls had congregated in the Triplets room, bent on a similar task. After lunch they had settled the babes down for their naps, while the older children had gathered around the table and joined in some riotous paper games. It was about sixteen o'clock when Joey rang the gong and invited all the children to join her in the Saal for tea around the blazing log fire.

This was a treat for all of them, but especialy the nursery party. They settled themselves with drinks and bread and butter on the big sofas and amongst the many cushions on the gaily patterned rugs scattered in front of the fire which warmed the whole room, safely behind the huge fireguard. Joey had lit the lamps and there candles burning brightly on the mantlepiece, high enough up to be safe for the younger ones, but still giving out their distinctive waxy smell. At the side of the fireplace the children could see the pile of stockings, 15 of them, 11 for the children and one each for their parents, Anna and Rosli, the coadjutor. At the sight of them the younger children nudged each other and grinned.

“Mamma, will you tell us a story please,” asked Cecil.
“Oh yes, please,”
“Please may we have a story,”
Joey looked round at the pleading faces and laughed. “I do know lots of Christmas Stories I suppose, which would you like.”
“Let's have your favourite mamma, choose the one you like best of all of them,” shouted Charles, and the others took up the idea with glee, “Yes mamma, your very favourite story.”

Joey settled into the corner of the sofa, Phil on her knee and Geoff cuddled up close next to her, while the others were likewise arranged, all of a heap, the little ones sat with the older ones and all waiting in eager anticipation.
“This is a story about a Christmas eve, one long ago. There was a poor couple who were near the end of a long journey. The man was footsore, blistered after walking many miles and tired, ever so tired. He was also frightened. His wife was not well, she was young and the journey had been too much for her in her condition and he feared for what would become of her. He could see the lights in the distance however and so steeled himself to continue. He took a swig from the flask he carried and held it up to his wife. She took the smallest of sips and handed it back.
“You are walking, you need it more.”
He did not argue, but did not drink more, swinging it over one shoulder to pass back to her later.
They continued in silence, trying to reach the town before all daylight had disappeared. They were the last travellers in before the gate shut.
“It was not until they heard the gate bang shut behind them that they wondered what to do next, until this point all their energies had been focused just on getting to the town. They went straight past the large hostelries in the middle of the town, these were too expensive for them. They tried several small inns, but all were full to overflowing. Despondantly they turned from yet another door and stood on the other side of the street wondering what to do next.
“That is the last, we have been everywhere we can try. I'm sorry, I don't know what to do,” There was a desparation in the man's voice now.
“I am sure we will be fine, even if we have to sleep in a corner of the market,” She stiffened in pain a moment, and then as it passed, “I need to find somewhere soon, just a place out of the wind,”

“They looked around in some bewilderment, they were at the very end of all their resouces of strength and finding it hard to think.
“Excuse me,” the voice sounded cheerful and warm. Dazed they looked up and saw a cheery looking man, dressed in clothes similar to their own, but without the signs of a long journey. Standing behind him was a plump and smiling woman, looking ready to work.
“We couldn't help overhearing, I don't have any room to spare, every inch is taken up with family and visitor, but there is somewhere I have, it is warm and private and we can bring you food and drink there if you would like?”

“Mutely nodding their acquiescence the couple followed their new found friends around the back of the row of houses and into a small building. Their host lit some torches as he passed through the door and they saw hay, sacks of grain, a cow and a donkey and in one corner a manger. The two men quickly arranged the bales of hey into a bed and a shelter from the doorway and lit a brazier for warmth and then left, leaving the women alone for a while as women sometimes need to be.

“Just a few hours later, at midnight a sound could be heard. A baby crying, and then more surprisingly a singing from the skies which were suddenly filled with light. The two men came running back, and found that the travelling couple now had a son. They gazed at Him, laid in the manger, a tiny baby, born to such an insignificant couple, in the poorest surrounding and as the baby opened his eyes for the first time and looked at them, there was a smile on His face. There were soon to be other visitors, shepherds with tales of angel choirs, wise men with fabulous gifts and stories of stars in strange lands, but this first smile was for the couple who had cared for him until this moment and for the couple who had given the first gift, that of their loving care.”

There was silence as Joey finished, all the children lost in the story. Joey let her eyes travel over them all, coming to rest finally on her triplets, each sat with a younger child on their lap, and on the table behind them the nativity scene. This was her favourite story, told to her favourite audience.

#3:  Author: babycassied PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:16 pm
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So lovely! My favourite too and my 2 yr old's!

#4:  Author: PaulineSLocation: West Midlands PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:34 pm
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Thank you so lovely on this night of all nights. I think it is the first story in more ways then one, a favourite and the start of of all the others, Christmas spider, Christmas rose, and the beggar girl.

#5:  Author: Advent Drabblers PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:22 pm
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"I've done something a little different this year, Aunt Hilda," the dark haired woman smiled across at the Head.

Miss Annersley raised an eyebrow at one of her most gifted students, "Different, Con?"

Con Maynard, now Con Richardson, flushed slightly under that regard, feeling twelve years old again, rather than a mature woman of twenty-eight with one daughter and another expected in the Spring, she swallowed quickly, "Yes, it was in response to something that Aunt Nell mentioned - about there being people, even at the Chalet School, who didn't have any formal faith. I thought the Christmas message should include them. It's a bit modern though. See what you think."

"I will, thank you Con," the Head smiled and placed the manuscript to one side. It had been a worry, this year, not having a Christmas Play. Joey had not been able to write one as she had been over in England looking after Lady Russell. It had been thought that the School would have to re-use an old Play - and Hilda Annersley was loath to do that, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, especially as she had an inkling as to the news that Stephen Maynard would be giving her the day after the School broke up for the holidays - that this would be her last Christmas with the School. Later that evening she arranged it so she would have no interruptions and settled down to read...

"Joe! Joe! Get your lazy carcass down here!"

"Alright Mum, what do you want?" the young man who appeared did not inspire great trust and the older woman looked over at her son. She saw a boy of about eighteen, wearing jeans and an oil-covered sweatshirt. He had a shaved head and two studs in each ear.

"You got a Job, yet?"

"Naw, social keep sending me to rubbish Jobs paying peanuts - I can make more on the dole."

His mother sighed, "Why didn't you take that apprenticeship?"

"What, start out at the bottom of the pile, no fear! I'm going round Marie's place."

"But I..." it was too late, the boy had pushed past her and was riding off on his motorbike.

Marie's house was only a few streets away, a small, two-up, two-down terrace in the middle of a block of similar houses. Joe didn't get off of his bike, instead he sat outside revving up the engine until, suddenly, the door flew open and a young girl came running out. Aged about sixteen wearing a mini skirt. stiletto heels and a black leather jacket the ran over an leapt onto the back of Joe's bike,

"Gee I'm so glad you're here," she said, "it's like a madhouse in there."

"Why? What's up?"

"You remember me telling you about my cousin Betty, her what's married to Zack?"

"He's one of them evangelicals ain't he? Like Billy Graham?"

"Yeah but it's all a con. Anyway, she's had a baby."

"What? I thought you said she was in her forties?"

"She is, this has come out the blue. Anyway, she's come round and Mum's into baby worship in a big way."

"What they called it?"

"John, I mean boring, I thought Ringo would be better but no, John it is. Come on Joe, get moving, 'fore Mum comes out."

Joe gunned the engine and , within minutes, the pair were at the beach. The late June sunshine was warm and they found a deserted cove. Sitting together on the ground they kissed and Joe pulled Marie to him, "I love you, girl," he said hoarsely.

Marie pulled back, "Do you Joe? Really? I mean we've only been going out a couple of months."

"Doesn't matter, you're the best thing in my life," he pulled a small ring from his pocket and placed it on her finger, "it's only plastic at the mo," he said, "but I'll save up and get you a real one, alright?"

Marie bit her lip and tears started to fall from her eyes, Joe looked worried,

"What is it? I thought this is what you wanted."

"Oh it is, Joe, it is, only - I'm going to have a baby, Joe, it's due in six months."

Joe stared in shock, "In six months? Not mine then, who is ...?"

"Gabe, Gabe Angelo?"

"Gabe? You mean that posh twit at university? Oh well, better nip back to him then," he turned away.

"No Joe!" The distress in Marie's voice was real and Joe felt his heart move, he looked back and she continued, "I left him before I knew about the baby - but even if I hadn't I wouldn't want him as the father. He only cares about himself and his career, nothing else. You care, Joe, you'd be a good Dad."

"You going to keep it?"

"Of course."

"Well forget me then, love - think I'd bring up someone else's kid? No way." He walked away without a backward glance.

Marie burst into tears and sat there for some time in her misery. When she finally Joe wasn't coming back she rose and walked ooff the beach intending to find a bus stop. After waiting for some time a bus appeared and she was about to get on it when she suddenly heard him,

"Marie, Marie, don't go!"

Marie looked across to where Joe was waeving slowly across the traffic, "You're drunk!" she said.

"I've had a skinful," Joe agreed, "tryng to stop myself feeling such an idiot."

"Why do you feel such an idiot?"

"'Cos you're right, that pillock Gabe wouldn't be any good as a Dad, he'd walk out, like my real Dad did. I don't want to be like that."

"You mean..?"

"I mean, if you still want me, I want you...and him, or her," Joe looked into Marie's eyes, "I love you, Marie."

"And I love you, Joe Adamson," Marie cried, "but you know my Mum and yours will say we're too young, don't you?"

"Don't care," Joe said thickly, "we love each other, love the sprog, it's worked before, we'll make it work. Hell, I'll even get that apprenticeship Mum keeps on about - world need more carpenters don't it?"

"Yes Joe."


Miss Annersley finished reading and placed the manuscript to one side, 'It was certainly very different,' she thought, 'and something to appeal to those who did not have any particular faith. The story was still there - the Love was still there. Could they use it? She did not know - but felt it was a fitting attempt.'

#6:  Author: Alison HLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:39 pm
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Thanks so much for all of these, all 3 of you!

#7:  Author: Travellers JoyLocation: Middle of Nowhere PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:44 pm
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Well done, Advent Drabblers! Thanks for all the reading material!

Merry Christmas. santa

#8:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:47 pm
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Glad you all liked them. We've enjoyed writing them.

#9:  Author: abbeybufoLocation: Romsey, Hampshire - UK PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:07 pm
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Thank you all ADs for all the varied & ingenious - and hugely enjoyable - stories.
Have a lovely Christmas - and Happy New Year to you all santa santa santa santa santa santa santa

Ruth

#10:  Author: JackiePLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:12 pm
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Thanks, Carolyn, Pat & Lesley. Especially for that last one - can't help but feel It'd be nice to read Con's play sometime...

JackieP

#11:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:48 pm
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I've really enjoyed writing these, the serious, the silly and the downright sureal. Glad you all enjoyed them, have a very happy Christmas.

#12:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:50 pm
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Also really loved writing them. Laughing



Merry Christmas everyone! santa

#13:  Author: claireMLocation: rotherham PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:07 pm
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Really enjoyed all of these, an amazing effort. Thanks all of you.

#14:  Author: SugarLocation: second star to the right! PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:20 pm
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Thanks AD's that was wonderful.

Thank you for taking the time to write all of them..they were amazing and as much part of advent as the chocolate!

#15:  Author: Elder in OntarioLocation: Ontario, Canada PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:57 pm
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That was another lovely juxtaposition of episodes. Thank you all for some very enjoyable daily stories - I've enjoyed them all, even when I haven't commented. It's clear that they have been as much fun for the three of you to write as they have been for the rest of us to read.

#16:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 12:14 am
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That was a lovely way to conclude and thank you. Like Elder, I haven't had time to comment much, but I have appreciated reading these drabbles.

#17:  Author: babycassied PostPosted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:46 am
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Thanks for all the hard work, ADs!

#18:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 6:01 pm
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Thankyou so much Carolyn, Pat and Lesley for all your hard work. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every day's writings and they have been a real highlight of December





Have you started planning next year's ones yet? Wink

#19:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 6:29 pm
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Thank you, Advent Drabblers, for all the lovely stories.

#20:  Author: Helen PLocation: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:56 pm
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That was great! Very Happy I too would like to read the whole of Con's play!

Thank you for all of your hard work over the past month, all three of you!

#21:  Author: FatimaLocation: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 5:02 am
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Con's play sounds brilliant! Thanks all three of you for all your hard work this advent. Very Happy

#22:  Author: Fiona McLocation: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:12 am
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Thank you for all the advent drabbles, they've been wonderful. You must al be exhausted by all the plot bunnies going rampet especially Lesley having to link the first two

#23:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:15 am
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Dawn wrote:

Have you started planning next year's ones yet? Wink


We have exchanged several emails on the subject yes!
Very Happy

#24:  Author: KarolineLocation: Leeds, West Yorkshire PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:27 am
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Thank you AD's I've enjoyed them all

#25:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:09 pm
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Thank you Pat, Carolyn and Lesley! Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the advent drabbles.

#26:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:28 am
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WOW!!! That was very powerful.

I know it wasn't easy this year thank you all for your time and inspiration.

#27:  Author: VickLocation: Leeds, Yorkshire PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:39 pm
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Lovely. Thank you for all the drabbles this advent. Very Happy

#28:  Author: PaulineSLocation: West Midlands PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:46 pm
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Thank you all for a lovely series of stories They have made me come to board daily at least to catch up on them I missed Lesley's final one beofre Christmas but had to come on line as soon as was home to find it. Thank you all for all your hard work.

Hope you have all had a good Christmas.

Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

#29:  Author: BethCLocation: Worcester, UK PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:29 pm
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Thank you very much indeed, Advent Drabblers - I really enjoyed the whole set of drabbles (and was very impressed by the range)!

#30:  Author: TaraLocation: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:22 am
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Have only just emerged to catch up with the last one - very thought-provoking and moving.

Many thanks to you all for a tremendous effort and such infinite variety!

#31:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:27 am
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Carolyn P wrote:
Dawn wrote:

Have you started planning next year's ones yet? Wink


We have exchanged several emails on the subject yes!
Very Happy


Oh good!

#32:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:13 pm
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Carolyn P wrote:
Dawn wrote:

Have you started planning next year's ones yet? Wink


We have exchanged several emails on the subject yes!
Very Happy


Hurrah!

And thank you so much for the 2007 entries.
Very fine indeed!

#33:  Author: ChairLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:10 pm
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Thanks, Advent Drabblers. I enjoyed reading all of the stories in the drabbles. I'm sorry that the Advent Drabbles are over now. Crying or Very sad



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